Cord connecter



Dec. 9, 1924. 1,518,639

F.C.DE REAMER CORD CONNECTER Filed Jan. 1 1921 Fig.2;

Inventor:

Frank C. De Reamer by His Attorney iii Patented lDec. 9,

FRANK C. DE REAMER, F SCEZENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNGE T0 GENERAL ELEC- ERIC COMPANY, A. CORPORATIONOF NEW YORK.

CORD CONNECTER.

Application filed January 10, 1921. Serial No. 436,073.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK C. DE REAMER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectady, in the county of Schenectady, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in CordConnecters, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to cord connectei's and has for its object to provide an improved structure and arrangement in a device of this character.

For a consideration of what I believe to be novel and my invention, attention is directed to the accompanying description and the claims appended thereto.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a cord connecter embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a view of the eonnecter, th mounting blocks on one side being removed to show the interior of the connecter; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional View, the mounting blocks being shown separated; Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the parts which go to make up the plug member of the connecter; Fig. 5 is a similar view of the parts which go to make up the receptacle mem her of the connecter; Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a connecter showing the manner of connecting a lead thereto, and Fig. 7 is a perspective View of a modificatien.

Referring first to the plug member of the connecter, it comprises two mounting blocks and 11 which when assembled one on the other form the casing of the plug. Blocks 10 and 11 are made of suitable insulating material b moulding or otherwise, and are prefers ly exactly alike and nterchangeable. "in other words.v each a ms (me-halt the casin Qne of the Toioclts as block 10 is shown in perspective n 4.-

it wiil he understood that the her hicck 11 is preferably exactly like inferring particularly tc the block comprises a fiat piece of material tapered at one ens. to form semi-circular neck 12 ring 13% hich "forms one-halt circ rough which t ccrd s 13 opens into two the insulation or the cord.

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17 which extend from the end of the block to chambers 14:. Extending transversely of slots 17 at their bottoms are projections 18 preferably semi-circular in cross-section and formed as an integral part of the block, and in the block between slots 17 is a hole 19 for the reception of a clam ing screw. The end of wall adjacent nee: 12 is enlarged to form a head 20 through which is a hole 21 for the reception of a second clamping screw. The outer ends of holes 19 and 2 1 are countersunk to receive the heads and nuts of the clamping screws so they will be flush with the surfaces of the plu The countersunk portion of the openings are all of the same contour as the nuts, for example hexagonal, so the screw may be put through.-

the blocks either way and the blocks be exactly alike and interchangeable.

Each contact 22 of the plug. comprises a straight fiat strip of metal of suitable thickness having an opening 23 at its outer end and a post 24 at the inner end. Post 24 may be fastened to the strip in any suitable manner, it being shown in the present instance as having a reduced end which passes through an opening in the strip and is riveted or flanged over. The end of the strip and the post are provided with a tapped opening 2 1 to receive a binding screw 25 which screws into the tapped opening from the side of the strip opposite to that "from which post 24 projects. (in the end of contact 22 just beyond the head of binding screw 25 are two spaced projections 26, which are preferably formed by upsetting the end of the strip and which serve as flanges to hold the wire under the head of the screw. In the edges of the contact strip hetween its ends are notches 27 in which projections 18 fit when the plug is assembled.

A. complete plug comprises two mounting blocks and two contacts as shown in 2 two clamping screws 28 with nuts :29 as shown in Fig. 3, is assembled in connection with a cord as follows:-

A usual form of cord indicated at 5%) has the outside insulation 31 removed for distance the end to expose remcred from the ends wires 32 wire 33 for a. lerg around binding screws 25. fastened te con J5 l a at. 9x. .1

fastened to each lead wire, the two contact strips are laid one in each slot 17 of a mounting block as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the location being such that projections 18 lie in notches 27. A second mounting block is then placed on top the block in which the contact strips have been placed so its projections 18 fit in notches 27 in the exposed half of the strips and the two blocks are then fastened together by the clamping screws 28 and nuts 29.

The width of slots 17 is about the same as the thickness of strips 22 and the depth of slots 17 is made approximately equal to one-half the width of strips 22. Also the length of slots 17 is sufiicient to give 00d lateral support to the contact strips. s a result when the two mounting blocks are fastened together the contact strips are held parallel to each other and absolutely prevented from twisting or moving laterally; The bottoms of slots 17 are flush with the bottoms of chambers 14 so the entire lengths of strips 22 within the blocks are in engagement along theiredges with the blocks and firmly clamped by them. This gives anlongseating for the contact strips and prevents them from tilting edgewise. The engagement of projections 18 in notches 27 in the two edges of the contact strips holds the contact strips against axial movement. It will thus be seen that although the contact strips ing screws 25. It is to be particularly noted that these strain relieving posts are carried by the contact strips themselves and form in substance an integral part of them and that the binding screws thread into such posts. This results in a very simple arrangement, which while performingits intended function in a most efiicient manner at the same time can be provided at a low cost and adds no dificulties in the way of assembling. Furthermore such posts are most advanta eous for receiving the binding screws. The projections 26 serve to hold the lead wires from slipping sidewise off the ends of the contact strips, and to also hold them under the binding screws when they are being screwed down. As will be clear from Fig. 2, the contact strips 22 are assembled in the mounting blocks with the -nected to the plug as shown in Fig. 2 and the two mounting blocks are clamped together any pull on the cord will be taken by posts 24 thereby protecting the connections with the bindingscrews 25.

The receptacle embodies the same general structural features as the plug, and the same reference numerals with the exponent a added are applied to corresponding parts. It comprises two mounting blocks 10 and 11 of insulating material each alike and when assembled one on the other forming the casing of the plug. One of these blocks, for example, block 10 is shown in perspective in Fig. 5 and it will be understood that the other block 11" is like it. Referring particularly to Fig. 5, the block comprises a flat piece of material tapered atone end to form a semi-circular neck 12 having a groove 13 which forms one-half of the circular opening through which the cord enters the plug. Groove 13 opens into two chambers 1 1 separated by a wall 15 'and in the bottom of chambers 14 are recesses 16 to accommodate the insulation on the cord. The other end of the block is fiat and at such end are two spaced rectangular slots 17 which extend from the end of the block to chambers 1 1. Slots 17 are longer and wider than slots 17 of the plug and are provided with projections 18 which extend part way across them. In the outer side walls of chambers 14 are notches l t 'which serve to accommodate the ends of the binding posts. The block is provided with a hole 19, and a head 20 through which is a hole 21 for the reception of clamping screws. The outer ends of holes 19 and 21 are countersunk to receive the heads and 22 of the plug. At the elbow of the bend.

the material is pressed inward as indicated at 23 to form a reinforcing and strengthening rib over which spring contact piece 22 bends. This rib serves to prevent further permanent bendingof spring contact piece 22 and to insure that it maintains its spring. At the inner end of contact strip 22 is fixed a post 24 having a tapped opening 24' to receive a binding screw 25. Post 24 may be fastened to contact strip 22 in the same manner a post 2t is fastoned to contact strip 22. In the case of post 24*, binding screw 25 screws into it form its outer end sothat instead of forming projections on contact strips 22, corresponding to projections 26 of contact strip 2-2, the outer end of post 25 is provided with a flange 26 which receives the head of binding screw 25. In flange 26 is a notch 2.6 through which the lead wire extends. Flange 26 performs the same function as do projections 26. In the edges of contact strips 22 are notches 2'? in which projections 18 tit when the receptacle is assembled.

A complete receptacle comprises two mounting blocks and two contacts as shown in Fig. 5 and two clamping screws :28 with nuts 29' as shown in Fig. 3. It is assembled in connection with a cord in a manner similar to that of the plu alreadv described, corresponding parts performing similar functions, and as will be readily understood contact strips 22* will be firmly anchored between mounting blocks 10 and 11 and posts 24* will serve as strain relievers for the connections. Slots 17 are of the same depth as slots 17 and are of sufficient width to allow of the insertion of the outer ends of contact stri s 22 into them in the well understood manner to make engagement with contact strips 22. This is well illustrated in Fig. 2. When the plug and receptacle are connected in this manner they are held together by the pressure of spring contact piece 22 and by bead 23 engaging opening 23.

In the case of both the ohm and the receptacle it will be seen that thev are formed of few parts which can be manufacturedat a low cost and easily assembled. Or, if found desirablmthe parts which go to make up the plug and receptacle, comprising in each case only three different kinds, viz, the mounting blocks, contacts, and clamping screws, may be shipped unassembled and be assembled as used. The onlv tool required for assembling is an ordinary screw driver and the work of assemblin can be done by ordinary workmen. It; is particularly to be noted that no screws are used in assembling the contact strips in the mounting blocks.

Because of their simple structure the plug and receptacle are well adaptedto be made in miniature sizes which is verv desirable for certain applications. The fact that the strain relieving posts form an integral part of and are carried by the contact strips is a feature of particular importance in the matter of miniature sizes as it means that the strain relieving posts occunv the minimum of space.-

1 In Fig. 7 l have shown a modification wherein the slots 39 of mounting block to, corresponding to slots 17 and 17 of Figs.

4k and 5, instead of being provided with prostance the same as that alreadv described except that the mounting block 40 is shown of a type for a series connector. The specilic arrangement of Fig. 7 has the advanage that the wings or projections 43 are strong and not. likely to break. The also serve not only to position the contacts to hold them from axial movement but also to hold them from transverse movement in case the bent contact ends should take a further permanent bend.

It will be understood of course that while I have shown a plug and receptacle. each embodying features of my invention and going to make up a cord connecter, either the plug or receptacle may be used with a receptacle or plug or other structure if,

found desirable.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the principle of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof, but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus' shown is onlv illustrative, and that the invention mav be carried out by other means.

\Vhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. A cord connector member comprising two mounting blocks of insulating material clamped together to form a casing, said blocks having grooves which register to form an opening for a conductor cord at one end of the casing and a plurality of spaced bottoms of the grooves for holding said strips from longitudinal movement, a strain relief post for a conductor wire mounted on each contact strip adjacent its inner end to project laterally from one face thereof and a binding screw for said conductor wire,

of the contact strips, whereby they serve to hold such strips from twisting, and interengaging parts carried by the edges of the contact strips and the bottoms of said grooves which parts serve to hold the contact strips from longitudinal movement.

3. A conncctermember comprising two mounting blocks clamped together and provided with grooves at one end which form an opening for the reception of a cord and a plurality of spaced grooves at the other end, fiat straight contact strips located edgewise in said last-named grooves, notches located I in the edges of said contact strips midway between their ends, and projections located in the bottoms of said grooves interlocking with said notches to hold the contact strips from longitudinal movement.

4. A connector member comprising two mounting blocks, means fastening them together, said blocks having a cord opening at one end and a plurality of spaced grooves at the other end, a flat contact strip clamped between the blocks ed ewise .in each roove a strain relieving post for a cord mounted on each contact strip and projecting laterally from it, a binding screw for a wire held in said post, and interengaging parts carried by the edges of each contact strip and the bottoms of said grooves which parts serve to hold each contact strip from longitudinal movement.

5. A contact strip for a connector member, said strip being flat, straight and of one piece, a strain relieving post for a cord projecting laterally from it at one end and provided with a threaded opening, and a binding screw for a wire in said threaded openin 6. A contact strip fora connector member, 1

said strip having a strain relieving post at one end around which a cord may be wrapped, a binding screw which screws into said post, and projecting means adjacent the head of the screw for holding a wire under it.

7. A contact strip fora connector member, said strip having a strain relieving post at one end around which a cord may be wrapped, a binding screw which screws into said post and projecting means adjacent the head of the screw for holding a wire under it, said strip having notches in its edges.

8. A contact strip for a connector member, said strip having one end bent back upon itself to form a spring contact, a strain relieving post at the other end of said strip, and a binding screw in said post.

9. A contact strip for a connector member,

said strip having one end bent'back upon itself to form a spring contact, a strain relieving post at the other end of said strip, a binding screw in said post, and a flange on the post which surrounds thevhead of the screw.

10. A contact strip for a connector member, said strip having a strain relieving post at one end around which a cord may be wrapped, a binding screw which screws into said post, and projections on the edges of said strip intermediate. its ends.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 8th day of January, 1920.

FRANK C. DE REAMER. 

